A butterfly from the Insectarium display in the greenhouse at Bowring ParkWhat do butterflies have to do with navigation? The same as whales, birds and other creatures that migrate great distances to overwinter. I don't know which butterfly this is, it'll be a standin for the Monarch.
I watched a show called Nova last night about the annual migration of Monarch butterflies. Another one of nature's miracles.
They overwinter in Mexico in an area only 60 square miles. When the weather warms up they begin their flight north ending up in southern Canada. The first leg of the journey takes them to Texas gulfcoast where they mate and the adults die off. This second generation flies farther north and produce a third generation. They reach their summer habitat where fourth generation is born.
It is the fourth generation that makes the return migration to Mexico for the winter. Where previous generations live about a month, the fourth generation makes a 2,000 mile, two month journey and lives seven months until its time to start the journey north again.
The $64,000 question is, how can a fourth generation butterfly find its way back to the same place year after year? And, how come the fourth generation lives about nine months rather than a month? There is much to bewonder a person.
Tony :-)
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